Without Caucus nod, Livney decides against running for Winnetka council seat

November 16, 2012|By John P. Huston, Chicago Tribune reporter

Though not happy with how he was dropped from the Winnetka Caucus slate of Village Trustee candidates, Patrick Livney has decided against running as an independent in the April election.

Livney had left the possibility open at the Nov. 12 Town Meeting, before he failed to earn enough votes to replace one of the three others on the ticket.

"As my voice has been heard, I will respect the Caucus System and respectfully bow out of any independent run," Livney wrote, in a letter to the Tribune.

Livney was originally slated by the nine-member Winnetka Caucus Village Candidates Committee to run alongside incumbents Arthur Braun and Richard Kates. But at an Oct. 18 Caucus Council meeting, where all Caucus members can vote, Livney was removed from the slate in favor of Joe Adams, who is chairman of the village's Zoning Board of Appeals.

Livney, who was not at the meeting, was discussed by Caucus members who questioned his lack of experience on a village board or commission, as well as his involvement in at least one ongoing New Mexico civil lawsuit that alleges a pay-to-play scheme by Livney and the investment firm where he was a senior executive.

At the raucous Nov. 12 meeting, Livney answered questions related to both topics and others, but failed to generate enough support from the 516 residents who cast ballots to affirm the Caucus slate. Adams received 310 votes to Livney's 216. Braun received 436 and Kates received 429.

Livney said in his letter that he was grateful for the opportunity to address questions about his background and experience, but also expressed displeasure with the Caucus process and those who criticized him in his absence.

"As I believe in our Constitution and everyone's right to their opinion, I do not believe people are entitled to fabricate the facts to fit their view and slander an opponent," Livney wrote. "Nor do I believe the Village of Winnetka is better served by the use of divisive tactics to further their agenda."

Some Livney backers had lashed out at Caucus leaders for the way they handled the slating process, and many had encouraged residents to respect the work of the Village Candidates Committee that originally slated Livney for trustee.

"That is exactly how it is supposed to work," Livingston said. "You wouldn't want a majority of nine people to be able to select your candidates without further discussion from the entire Caucus Council."

Chris Rintz, a former trustee who was considered — but not slated — to run as the Caucus candidate for Village President, previously announced he will run as an independent.

Rintz said he felt the Caucus was too easily influenced by outside pressures from small, but active, groups of residents with specific interests.

"I just feel that maybe an independent president would be the way to go in Winnetka," Rintz said. "Somebody who is above the Caucus and above that influence."

Gene Greable, the Caucus pick to run for Village President, has denied being affiliated with any local special interest group.

"I'm Gene Greable. I'm honest. I do my work. I put in the time and I speak from the heart," he said.

Rintz won't have the advantage of a Caucus organization behind him in his effort to gather nearly 300 valid signatures on his candidate petitions, nor will he have the group's financial backing during the campaign.

Caucus Chairwoman Sandy Berger confirmed the organization will work on Greable's behalf.

"That is what our process is, and we will provide whatever support is needed in order to get him elected as village president," Berger said.